On the evening of November 2, 2015, the NYU Shanghai Education Development Foundation hosted its First Annual “Lighting the Way” Scholarship Gala on the 15th floor colloquium of NYU Shanghai. The Gala brought together 78 scholarship recipients and 14 donors for an evening of conversation, dinner, and entertainment. Wine glasses designed by students Sandra Kohn and Jingyi Sun for the NYU Shanghai Gift Design Competition were presented to donors at the Gala, and NYU Shanghai students performed three medleys for the guests in attendance.
Several of the Foundation’s Board Members spoke during the Gala. Foundation Executive Director Teng Yilong expressed his excitement to be involved with NYU Shanghai, and thanked the donors for their support. Foundation Vice Chairman and Chairman of Vantone Holdings Feng Lun spoke about education, and how choosing a university can determine a life’s trajectory. Dr. Feng shared his own academic experiences as a life-long learner, and credited NYU’s global perspective for initially drawing him to support the university. In his speech, NYU Shanghai Chancellor and Foundation Vice Chairman Yu Lizhong reminded students of the duty they will have upon graduation – to turn around and lend a helping hand to young scholars who will follow them, and contribute to NYU's grand undertaking, NYU Shanghai like the generous supporters who came before them. NYU President John Sexton gave the evening’s closing remarks.